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August 5, 1990 - Liberia (Operation Sharp Edge)


Civilians fleeing Liberia's civil war watch as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162) CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter lands at the U.S. Embassy during Operation Sharp Edge. The helicopter will carry a group of evacuees to one of the ships o...
Caption: Civilians fleeing Liberia's civil war watch as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162) CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter lands at the U.S. Embassy during Operation Sharp Edge. The helicopter will carry a group of evacuees to one of the ships of an amphibious ready group on station off the Liberian coast. The ready group is also providing personnel and logistic support for the embassy, 27 August 1990. Photographer: JO2 William G. Davis III. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject File.

On August 5, 1990, Operation Sharp Edge began.   The U.S. Navy and Marines began the noncombatant evacuation of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals from Liberia during its civil war.   The 22nd and 26th Marine Expedionary Units evacuated the personnel and were supported by USS Saipan (LHA-2), USS Ponce (LPD-15), USS Sumter (LST-1188), USS Peterson (DD-969), and USS Barnstable County (LST-1197).  The operation ended in January 1991.  


A woman and child fleeing Liberia's civil war wait to be evacuated on board a Marine Corps helicopter on the grounds of the U.S. Embassy during Operation Sharp Edge. After processing on board one of the ships of an amphibious ready group on stati...
Caption: A woman and child fleeing Liberia's civil war wait to be evacuated on board a Marine Corps helicopter on the grounds of the U.S. Embassy during Operation Sharp Edge. After processing on board one of the ships of an amphibious ready group on station off the Liberian coast, evacuees are flown to Sierra Leone. The ready group is also providing personnel and logistic support for the embassy. Photographer: JO2 William G. Davis III. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject File.

A Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162). CH-46E Sea Night helicopter departs from the grounds of the U.S. Embassy after dropping off a fuel bladder during Operation Sharp Edge. The embassy is receiving personnel and logistic support fro...
Caption: A Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162). CH-46E Sea Night helicopter departs from the grounds of the U.S. Embassy after dropping off a fuel bladder during Operation Sharp Edge. The embassy is receiving personnel and logistic support from an amphibious ready group that is on station off the coast of Liberia. The ready group is also helping to evacuate civilians caught in Liberia's civil war. Photographer: JO2 William G. Davis III. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject File.
Published: Tue May 05 07:18:46 EDT 2020